ABU DHABI // The most capped UAE rugby player hopes to extend his international career to another campaign, after shelving plans to retire.
Chris Jones-Griffiths has been almost ever present since the national team started playing Test matches in 2011.
The prop forward had envisaged signing off after the Asia Rugby Championship Division 2 campaign at the end of last term, having recently turned 35.
One medical advisory also suggested he should give up the game anyway, because of the severity of a foot injury he suffered halfway through last season.
The fact he missed the UAE tour to Uzbekistan in May because of that grade 3 tear of his plantar fascia, though, has led him to reassess his plan to hang up his boots.
He arrived at pre-season training with his club side Abu Dhabi Harlequins this summer saying he will continue playing indefinitely.
He is now hoping to make the Division 1 tournament, against Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, at the end of the coming season.
“I got injured in January, and didn’t want to finish with half a season,” Jones-Griffiths said.
“I have managed to get myself fit and am looking forward to another season. I don’t want to say I am retiring, it is just another season, because you are a long time retired.
“Because of the nature of playing in the front row, we are a relatively rare breed so you always have to be willing to be available to play.”
Mike McFarlane, the Harlequins coach, is happy to have one of the most experienced players in Arabian Gulf rugby back fit.
“Chris is an important member of our squad on and off the pitch,” McFarlane said.
“He is Quins through and through. He has been here even longer than I have been, so it is great to have him around.
“I think there is such a good feeling around the club at the moment it is impossible to leave.”
Harlequins start their new campaign when they travel to Dubai Exiles, the team who beat them to the two major XVs titles last season, on Friday.
The two giants of UAE rugby will be vying with Kandy, the champions of Sri Lanka, in the West Asia Champions League.
With three weeks still to go until the domestic season starts, the curtain-raising tournament arrives early in the preparations of both the teams.
However, Harlequins have had record registration numbers this summer, and McFarlane says the matches against Exiles and Kandy will give aspiring first-teamers the chance to prove their worth.
“Because of where this tournament is in relation to the season, we have lads climbing over each other to win their positions,” McFarlane said.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for them. The depth we have in quality this season is outstanding, and they are certainly all looking to put a marker down in terms of their position.
“We have had to leave some quality players out of the initial squad. We will look to rotate for the second game against Kandy, because we are looking to manage their workload, and we still have a lot we want to do ahead of the season.”
After facing the Exiles at The Sevens, Dubai on Friday, Harlequins will host Kandy at Zayed Sports City on Tuesday evening. Exiles and Kandy will meet at The Sevens the following Friday.
pradley@thenational.ae
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